Natterjack Toad

Overview

Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita) is a toad native to Europe. A toad with a distinctive yellow dorsal stripe and a loud rasping call, found on sandy habitats.

Care level: Intermediate. Toxicity: Moderate.

History & Origin

The Bufonidae (True Toads) is naturally distributed across Europe, where it occupies the typical habitats of its family. It has been kept by specialist and hobbyist keepers both in the wild and in captivity.

Appearance & Size

Natterjack Toad is a 5–8 cm toad.

Temperament

True toads are terrestrial, warty-skinned and generally calm and long-lived; most are hardy and tolerant of a wider range of conditions than frogs.

Care & Husbandry

A toad needs a terrestrial terrarium with a deep substrate for burrowing, a hide and a shallow water dish. Toads tolerate drier air than frogs but still need humidity; feed insects and supplement with calcium. They are generally robust and long-lived.

This species is generally rated Intermediate in difficulty for keepers.

Health & Lifespan

In captivity Natterjack Toad typically lives 8–12 years. Toads are long-lived, often 10–20 years or more. Skin warts are harmless to keepers, but watch for dehydration, parasites and abscesses; provide a varied insect diet.

Popularity & Recognition

True toads are ubiquitous worldwide; the cane toad is infamous as an invasive species, while many others are beloved, long-lived garden inhabitants.